Thinking about getting one ... What do I need?

[Orange Sunshine]

We're talking about the little sterilite tubs. They are usually white and see through, but there are some opaque ones. I like the partially clear ones, I can take a peek inside and check if everything is all good before disturbing the animal opening the tub. Depending on the size snake you get depends on the tub size. Like, my adult male is in a 41 qt and he has plenty of room(that size is usually used for adult females who get larger than males) but people start babies in much smaller tubs

I know there are a few good breeders in different areas of florida, if you're willing to drive/have them ship you could get a nice quality healthy baby snake!

Pet stores can be both good and bad--I don't recommend beginners buying from florida because it's harder to tell a sick animal from a healthy one. First off pet stores over charge(I've seen $180 for a $40 dollar normal) and then if it's sick you also add on hundreds in vet bills OR just a dead snake! Oy!! I know I thought I could tell a healthy snake at first, but now that I have experience I can see much more subtle signs and know they are sick before they are REALLY sick!

Mites are a pain to get rid of, but the problem is you likely won't even see them if the snake has them! Then you get them home and see dead little bugs in the water bowl, and then you realize they are there! If you do get a snake with mites, pick up "Provent a Mite"..Best stuff out there. Got rid of all the mites my snakes had instantly after months of trying with other stuff!

Okay, I think I've pretty much got it now, but I have a few more questions:

1) Is this the container that you guys are talking about? They're safe to have a heating pad under? http://www.sterilite.com/SelectProdu...=252&section=1.

2) If I wanted to get fancy with the water bowl and hides, what should i get? I saw the Habba Huts online, are they good? If so, what size should I get for a baby/jv? I would appreciate some links so I know I'm getting the right thing.

3) Is there enough room in there for the snake lol? It looks like pretty tight quarters between the hides and water and all that.

4) As far as temperature, humidity, and thermostat, whats the most cost effective? You guys said the one at walmart works good?

5) What size heat pad would I use for a 15 quart tub? 4x5? 6x9? Also, would it be bad to use a human heating pad if it has a temperature adjuster built in?

6) I read that you can use a soldering gun to make the holes in the tub. How many holes? Where do I put the holes, does it matter? Is one way better then another?

7) So just to be absolutely certain, this setup would be good?

A 15 quart tub with aspen as the substrate, 2 hides (1 on cold side one on hot), a decent sized water dish, a thermometer/hydrometer, and a thermostat? Am I missing anything?

It would be a really big help if someone could just give me a link with everything already added to the cart that I would need. Like I said, I'm trying to keep the cost down as much as possible, but I don't want to torture it. If I can't afford it then I won't get it.